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A Risk Assessment Form helps organizations systematically identify, evaluate, and document potential hazards in their workplace. Australian businesses use these forms to comply with Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws and protect their workers from harm. The form typically breaks down tasks or situations into their component parts, examining what could go wrong and how serious the consequences might be.

Once completed, this document becomes a key part of an organization's safety management system, helping managers prioritize safety measures and demonstrate their due diligence to regulators. It guides decisions about control measures, training needs, and emergency procedures - making it an essential tool for meeting Safe Work Australia guidelines and creating healthier workplaces.

Complete a Risk Assessment Form before starting any new workplace activity or when significant changes occur in your operations. This includes introducing new equipment, changing work processes, renovating facilities, or hiring staff for different roles. Many Australian businesses also conduct these assessments when safety incidents occur or when workplace inspection reveals new hazards.

The form becomes especially important when dealing with high-risk activities like working at heights, handling dangerous goods, or operating heavy machinery. Safe Work Australia recommends regular updates to these assessments - typically annually or when safety data highlights emerging risks. For construction and mining operations, completing these forms is a legal requirement before starting each major project phase.

• Workplace Hazard Assessment Form: Comprehensive evaluation of general workplace risks, suitable for office environments and standard business operations
• Health Risk Assessment Form: Focused on health-specific hazards, commonly used in healthcare settings and medical facilities
• Service User Risk Assessment Form: Tailored for client-facing services, particularly in disability and aged care sectors
• Pre Task Risk Assessment Form: Short-term assessment for specific tasks or activities, often used daily in construction
• Job Site Hazard Assessment Form: Detailed evaluation of construction or industrial work sites, focusing on location-specific risks

• WHS Managers and Safety Officers: Lead the risk assessment process, draft the forms, and ensure compliance with Safe Work Australia guidelines
• Department Supervisors: Complete Risk Assessment Forms for their specific work areas and oversee implementation of control measures
• Workers and Contractors: Participate in risk assessments, provide practical insights about daily tasks, and follow safety protocols
• HR Departments: Maintain records, coordinate training, and integrate findings into workplace policies
• Company Directors: Review and approve major risk assessments, holding ultimate responsibility under WHS legislation
• Safety Regulators: Monitor compliance and may review forms during workplace inspections or incident investigations

• Task Analysis: Break down the activity into clear steps, noting equipment, materials, and people involved
• Hazard Research: Review past incident reports, safety data sheets, and industry guidelines specific to your work type
• Workplace Inspection: Walk through the actual work area to identify potential risks and environmental factors
• Staff Consultation: Talk with workers who perform the tasks to understand practical challenges and concerns
• Control Measures: List existing safety measures and brainstorm additional precautions needed
• Document Assembly: Use our platform to generate a compliant Risk Assessment Form that includes all required elements under Australian WHS laws
• Review Process: Plan how often the assessment needs updating and who signs off on changes

• Basic Information: Date, location, assessor details, and activity being assessed as required by WHS regulations
• Hazard Identification: Detailed list of potential risks, including physical, chemical, biological, and psychological hazards
• Risk Rating Matrix: Likelihood and consequence ratings that align with Safe Work Australia guidelines
• Control Measures: Hierarchy of controls showing existing and proposed safety measures
• Action Timeline: Implementation dates and responsible persons for each control measure
• Review Schedule: Planned review dates and triggers for reassessment
• Approval Section: Signatures from assessor, supervisor, and relevant safety representatives
• Documentation: References to related procedures, training requirements, and emergency protocols

A Risk Assessment Form and a Risk Management Plan serve different but complementary purposes in workplace safety. While both deal with workplace risks, they function quite differently in practice and legal compliance.

• Scope and Purpose: Risk Assessment Forms focus on specific tasks, activities, or areas, documenting immediate hazards and controls. Risk Management Plans provide broader, strategic approaches to managing organizational risks over time.
• Timing and Updates: Assessment forms are typically completed before new activities or when conditions change, requiring frequent updates. Management plans are longer-term documents, usually reviewed annually.
• Legal Requirements: Under WHS laws, Risk Assessment Forms must be completed for high-risk activities and kept as evidence of due diligence. Risk Management Plans, while valuable, are not always legally mandated for every workplace activity.
• Implementation Focus: Assessment forms detail specific control measures for identified hazards. Management plans outline broader risk policies, responsibilities, and organizational frameworks.